I didn't think Headley was a great fit. To play him at third, Todd Frazier would have to play first. To play him in left, Jay Bruce would have to play first. Either move weakens the Reds defensively.

Dan Uggla is also off the list. He signed with the San Francisco Giants yesterday. I didn't think he was a great fit either. Where does he play when Brandon Phillips returns? And, more importantly, can he still hit?

Ben Zobrist of Tampa Bay and Daniel Murphy of the New York Mets are the two top choices I see. Both can play multiple positions, so they could plug a hole until Phillips and Joey Votto return and then play elsewhere.

Neither is cheap in terms of salary and the prospects needed to land them. I don't see the Reds trading Robert Stephenson or Jesse Winker. I'd be surprised if they traded Michael Lorenzen. But my guess is anyone else is available.

The Rays are reportedly waiting until near the deadline to decide whether they'll trade Zobrist.

Marlon Byrd is another name you hear. He'd help the offense, but until Votto returns that would likely mean playing Bruce at first. Again, not the best option.

Walt Jocketty never tips his hand in these things. No one saw the Mat Latos, Jonathan Broxton or Sean Marshall trades coming. Some of his top lieutenants -- Cam Bonifay, Jerry Walker and Bill Bavasi -- are on this trip.

The offense, or lack thereof, so far in the second half may have the Reds more willing to deal. But Jocketty never acts out of desperation. He's said a couple of times over the last few days that the Reds may not make a move before the July 31 non-waiver deadline.

I still think they will. But the list of possibilities is getting shorter.